OCD / Obsessions and Compulsions

Obsessions are persistent, unwanted thoughts about a certain topic. Compulsions are repetitive behaviors or mental acts which one feels compelled to perform. People diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) often act out compulsions in response to their obsessions.

For example, a person may constantly worry their house will get robbed. To manage their anxiety, the person checks the locks on their doors a dozen times a night. This behavior cannot realistically prevent a robbery or break-in, but the person feels severe distress if they don’t follow through.

In the United States, around 1.6% of adults will experience OCD in their lifetimes. The condition usually begins around age 19, although a quarter of cases start before age 14. OCD can occur in people of all ages, economic classes, and ethnic groups.

If left untreated, OCD can last a lifetime. Symptoms may interfere with one’s work, relationships, and general well-being. A therapist can help people manage their symptoms and learn coping skills.

Obsessive Symptoms in OCD

OCD symptoms fall into two categories: obsessions and compulsions. Obsessions are recurrent thoughts or urges that cause distress. These thoughts can be rooted in disgust, guilt, or fear. The obsessions often have one of the following themes:

Contamination: Thoughts are often about illness, dirt, etc. People may overestimate the threat of contamination.

Lack of order: Obsessions are often about symmetry and completion. A person may feel that something is "off" or "unbalanced." They may have perfectionist tendencies and a need for control.

Fear of harm: Thoughts are often about accidents, injuries, etc. A person may fear harm coming to themselves or loved ones. They may feel responsible for preventing tragedies through their compulsive actions.

Forbidden thoughts: This category involves intrusive thoughts about committing a taboo. For example, one person may fear losing control of themselves and cursing during a business meeting. Another may have repeated mental images about setting a building on fire despite having no desire to do so.

Someone may have obsessions in multiple categories. The topics of obsessions can change over time. When a person's obsessions all have a religious theme, they are said to have "religious OCD" or scrupulosity.

Obsessions can cause severe distress when they contrast with a person’s ethics and nature. However, thoughts are not the same as intent. Someone with intrusive thoughts about running over pedestrians is very unlikely to commit murder. In fact, they will likely be a more careful driver than the average person because the idea of hurting others disturbs them so much.

Compulsive Symptoms in OCD

Individuals often use compulsions to counteract their obsessions. Some actions are done to relieve stress. Other behaviors aim to prevent a feared event. The compulsion does not need to have a logical connection to the obsession. For example, a child may count stair steps to prevent a parent from dying. If the actions and thoughts are connected though, the action will be far out of proportion to the risk.

Obsessive-compulsive behaviors are often repetitive and excessive. They almost alway interferes with daily life. Some people feel compelled to spend hours a day on their compulsions. Others may go out of their way to avoid certain triggers. Many people with OCD are aware that their behaviors aren’t "logical," yet they still feel anxious and distracted until they perform the compulsion.

Common compulsive behaviors include:

Checking: One person may get up several times a night to make sure the stove isn't on. Another may reread every email or text a dozen times to check for typos.

Cleaning: An individual may wash their hands until the skin cracks. They might also sanitize household items after every use (rather than following an instruction manual's recommendations).

Rearranging/Repeating: A person may flip a light switch a certain number of times or tug their clothes until they feel even.

Undoing: A person may repeat a phrase to “cleanse” themselves of sexual thoughts or unpleasant images.

When a person's compulsions aren't readily apparent to observers, they are said to have pure obsessional OCD (also called pure O). For instance, a person may silently count to 100 after tasks to make sure they end on a "safe" thought. Another individual may mentally review a vocabulary list to make sure they aren't secretly losing their memory. Compulsions can still interfere with a person's functioning even if they aren't visible to others.

What Causes OCD?

There are many factors that can contribute to obsessive compulsive behavior. Biology and environment can both play a role.

Find a Therapist

From a cognitive perspective, people with OCD often place undue importance on thoughts. Many people have intrusive thoughts on occasion. Yet those with OCD may believe these thoughts reflect their inner character or affect the outside world. The extra attention can boost the perceived importance of the thoughts, reinforcing the obsessions. Compulsions may develop as faulty attempts to block these distressing thoughts.

Trauma can also lead to obsessions and compulsions. Children experiencing physical abuse or sexual abuse are more likely to develop OCD. Traumatic events (such as a car crash) can contribute. Everyday stress cannot cause OCD, but it can aggravate already-present symptoms.

OCD tends to run in families. If a person has a first-degree relative (like a parent or sibling) with OCD, their own risk of OCD doubles. If the relative developed OCD in childhood, the person is 10 times more likely to have OCD than the general public.

A study by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) linked OCD to two genetic mutations. The mutations make it harder for serotonin to move properly through the brain. Serotonin promotes feelings of satisfaction and well-being. If serotonin levels are low, one may experience anxiety.

OCD has also been linked to dysfunction in one of the brain circuits. The circuit activates when a person receives an impulse. After someone performs the related action, the neuron signals typically stop, and the person feels satisfied. In the case of OCD, the neurons continue firing. The person still has the impulse. They may need to do the act several times before they find the same satisfaction others get from acting once.

PANDAS

An estimated 1 in 2,000 children may develop obsessive-compulsive behaviors after a strep infection. The condition is called Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections, or PANDAS.

Many experts believe PANDAS is an immune response. When a strep infection occurs, antibodies sometimes target parts of the brain. This mistake can cause a sudden development of obsessions and compulsions.

Other studies suggest the strep infection does not cause OCD symptoms. Instead, the infection may trigger symptoms in kids who were already predisposed to the condition.

There is not much research on the prognosis of PANDAS. Some children recover completely, while others have symptoms through adulthood. In some cases, treating the underlying strep infection will cause symptoms to go away. Yet cognitive behavioral therapy and medication are the primary treatments.

How to Spot OCD in Children

Some parents may struggle to distinguish between OCD and typical childhood behaviors. Some rituals, such as bed time prayers or organizing toys, can be age-appropriate. Yet when habits interfere with school or friendships, there may be cause for concern.

Common signs of pediatric OCD include:

Irritability

Difficulty making decisions

Unexplained stretches of time alone

Withdrawal from social activities with friends

Requests to stay home from school to finish up assignments

Excessive time spent on daily tasks

Trouble sleeping

Extreme reactions to minor changes in routine

Children and adolescents are more likely to have harm-related symptoms than adults. It is common for kids to compulsively ask adults for reassurance. They often crave routine and consistency.

OCD and Gender

There are slight differences in how genders experience OCD. Adult women tend to have higher rates of OCD than men. However, males are more likely to develop obsessions and compulsions in childhood.

Women are more likely to have cleaning-related symptoms. Men’s symptoms are more likely to fall under the symmetry or taboo categories. Men are also more likely to have a comorbid tic condition than women.

OCD Across Cultures

In the U.S., the prevalence of OCD is roughly the same among ethnic groups. Internationally, prevalence rates range from 0.3% (Brazil) to 2.7% (Hungary). The age of onset and symptom patterns tend to be consistent across countries. Yet an area's culture may influence which themes are more common.

In East Asia, symmetry-related symptoms are the most prevalent. Contamination and aggression themes are also common.

Among Latin American countries, the most common themes were aggression and contamination. In a study of people in Rio de Janeiro, nearly 70% reported obsessions about aggression.

There is not much OCD research for African countries. The studies that do exist usually address OCD in the context of other diagnoses. For instance, a 2014 study on South Sudan sought to explore connections between trauma exposure and anxiety. The study found 12% of participants had comorbid OCD.

Doubt is the most common theme in South and Southeast Asia. In India, those with OCD often feel compelled to double-check they have completed their daily responsibilities. A small study in Bali found the most common obsession was the need to know identities of passerby.

Religious obsessions are prevalent among Islamic Middle Eastern countries. Although cleanliness and purity are highly valued in Islam, people with OCD often do rituals in excess. Pakistani individuals have described OCD symptoms with the word napak, an Islamic term for feelings of unholiness and contamination.

Conditions Related to OCD

Obsessions and compulsions often occur alongside other mental health concerns. Among adults with OCD:

76% also have an anxiety-related condition (phobia, social anxiety, etc.)

The DSM-5 lists several conditions which are closely related to OCD. These issues are more common in people with OCD than those without the diagnosis. Related conditions include:

Body dysmorphia: A person obsesses over perceived flaws in their body. They may check mirrors, do excessive grooming, or constantly compare their looks to those of other people.

Trichotillomania: A person repeatedly pulls out their hair, often from the scalp or eyebrows. The condition can result in significant hair loss.

Excoriation: A person feels compelled to pick at their skin. The behavior is often time-consuming and can result in bodily damage.

Hoarding: A person struggles to throw objects away, even if they are no longer useful. The resulting clutter can put a strain on one’s relationships and living space.

Koro: A person believes their genitalia (penis, nipples, or breasts) will retract into their body and disappear. They may tug on the organ to delay its retreat. The condition is typically found in Southeast Asia.

Jikoshu-kyofu: A person worries they have foul body odor. They may repeatedly check their bodies or shower excessively. The condition is based in Japan, but there is a similar issue in the U.S. called olfactory reference syndrome.

All these conditions are treatable. A mental health professional can help people stop compulsive behaviors and feel less distress. Help is available.

Notice to users

GoodTherapy is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, medical treatment, medication, or therapy. Always seek the advice of your physician or qualified mental health provider with any questions you may have regarding any mental health symptom or medical condition. GoodTherapy is not authorized to make recommendations about medication or serve as a substitute for professional advice. Never disregard professional psychological or medical advice or delay in seeking professional advice or treatment because of something you have read on GoodTherapy.